Drinking cup with integrated foldable cover

ABSTRACT

A disposable cup includes a sidewall and a plurality of first, second, and third flaps arranged along a top end of the sidewall. The flaps are bendable along respective creases in the sidewall to a stacking configuration, an open configuration, and a closed configuration. In the stacking configuration, the first, second, and third flaps extend upward from and are aligned with the sidewall, which allows for multiple cups to be nested and stacked. In the open configuration, the first, second, and third flaps are downwardly bendable to respective positions along an exterior surface of the sidewall, which allows for full access to a liquid in the cup and drawing on the surface of the liquid contained within the cup in the form of latte art. In the closed configuration, the first, second and third flaps together define a concave cover to the cup and an elevated spout for drinking the liquid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/908,497, filed Sep. 30, 2019 and titled FOLDABLE PAPER CUP, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to drinking cups, and more particularly,to drinking cups which are foldable to different configurations forstacking, receiving latte art, and providing a spill-resistant cover toa liquid beverage.

2. Description of the Related Art

Paper drinking cups generally have an open top, and thus require adetachable cover once they are filled with a liquid (e.g., coffee) andcarried by the consumer to avoid spillage and help retain thetemperature of the liquid. The detachable cover is usually plastic, andhas a flexible edge portion that can be ripped and bent backward tocreate a gap in the cover at the edge of the cup for the user to drinkthe liquid in the cup. Other plastic covers contain pre-formed spoutsthat may be plugged with another plastic insert by the user as needed.

The purchase and storage of disposable cups, detachable lids, and otheraccouterments increases cost, takes up extra space, increases plasticconsumption, and creates excess waste. Additionally, a customer or otheruser of a coffee cup lid typically has to pick up the lid from a secondlocation, or is handed a coffee cup filled with coffee with the lidalready on it. In either scenario, if the user wishes to drink coffeefrom the cup with the lid on it, then the user often has to create anopening in the lid, which may not work properly and/or which may causespillage if the coffee is filled too closely to the lid when the userrips a portion of the lid and presses the ripped portion into the top oflid to hold it there. If the conventional lid already has an opening,then this situation can also create spillage issues during transport.The user may thus be provided with yet another piece of plastic to plugthe pre-formed opening in the plastic lid (or an additional lid to coverthe first lid) to ensure that the user can transport the coffee withoutspilling it. Manufacturing conventional coffee cup lids and other suchaccessories requires additional machinery, real estate, time, materials,and labor, all of which contribute to significant energy consumption andCO₂ emittance. Coffee cup lid production thus has a significantlynegative impact on the environment.

As coffee shops have become increasingly common, both as standalonestores and within lobbies of buildings or shopping centers, the need fordisposable coffee cups and covers has increased. As a result, the amountof trash and discarded plastic used with coffee beverages has alsoincreased. The proliferation of coffee shops has also createdcompetition, and incentivized baristas to improve ambience forcustomers, not only in the store's environment, but also in the taste,packaging, and presentation of the coffee.

One form of such presentation is latte art. Latte art is created bypouring microfoam (e.g., finely textured milk, typically made by pumpingsteam from an espresso machine into a pitcher of milk) into a shot ofespresso. The resulting pattern or design on the surface of the lattecan be created or embellished by drawing in the top layer of the foam onthe coffee. Whether the latte art is created by free pouring (e.g.,creating a pattern on the coffee during the pour) or etching (using atool to create a pattern after the pour), access to the coffee in theinternal space of the cup is needed in order to enhance the design onthe coffee. Latte art is often presented in non-disposable, open-topcups made from glazed ceramic, which are not designed for take-out.Customers who use disposable take-out cups generally add milk and/orsugar as desired, and then snap a separate cover over the rim of thedisposable coffee cup.

While a number of attempts have been made in the art to providedisposable cups with integrated covers, the operation of such cups isoften complex and unintuitive. Additionally, disposable cups known inthe art fail to suitably address all of the above considerations in asingle integrated cup. There is a strong need in the art for adisposable cup that can (1) be stacked in a space efficient manner, (2)reduce waste, (3) provide sufficient access for latte artists to createlatte art on the coffee in the cup, (4) allow for drinking by the userwith an integrated cover that resists spillage when dropped, and (5) beeasily and intuitively manipulated to various configurations to providethese advantages. There is also a strong need in the art for anintegrally formed coffee cup lid which is configurable to allow a userto drink directly from the rim of the cup, to stir contents (e.g.,coffee) inside the cup, and to add milk, sugar, or other food items tothe cup's contents, all without obstructing the user's hands or makingit difficult for the user to perform these common coffee drinkingactivities.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is not intended to identify or point to essential featuresor limit the scope of the subject matter claimed herein. The presentinvention relates to a disposable cup having a sidewall and a pluralityof flaps bendable along respective creases in the sidewall to multipleconfigurations, with at least the following objectives:

To provide an integrated cover configurable to a stacking configurationin which the cup can be nested and stacked with a plurality of identicalcups, an open configuration in which latte artists have full access tothe interior portion of the cup without impediment by the flaps, and aclosed configuration in which the flaps form a cover to the cup andresist spillage when the user drinks from the cup or drops the cup;

To enable a user to manipulate the cup to stacking, open, and closedconfigurations without ripping or removing any portions of the cup;

To enable a user to manipulate a foldable cup from one of a stacking,open, or closed configuration, to another of the stacking, open, orclosed configurations using a simple, intuitive, three-step process; and

To provide a three-flap integrally formed cup design having threedistinct flaps, at least two of which are provided with respective pairsof creases to facilitate folding of the cup into open and sealedconfigurations.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a cup comprises asidewall and a plurality of first, second, and third flaps arrangedalong a top end of the sidewall. The flaps are bendable along respectivecreases in the sidewall to a stacking configuration and a closedconfiguration. In the stacking configuration, the first, second, andthird flaps together at least partially define a concave cover to thecup and an elevated drinking spout. A portion of the elevated drinkingspout defines an opening in communication with the interior space, andthe portion of the elevated drinking spout defining the opening iselevated relative to any other point on the concave cover.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a cup comprisesa sidewall having a top end, a bottom end, and a first plurality ofcreases disposed along the top end. The sidewall defines an interiorspace and a central axis extending in a longitudinal direction. First,second, and third flaps are bendable about respective creases of thefirst plurality of creases, radially outward of the sidewall, to an openconfiguration in which the first, second, and third flaps are downwardlybendable to respective positions along an exterior surface of thesidewall. The second and third flaps are movable radially inward of thesidewall to a closed configuration in which the first, second and thirdflaps at least partially define a concave cover to the cup and anelevated spout in communication with the interior space.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the sidewall includes asecond plurality of creases formed in the sidewall below correspondingcreases of the first plurality of creases, and the second and thirdflaps and respective portions of the sidewall are configured to bendabout respective creases of the second plurality of creases to theclosed configuration without bending the second and third flaps aboutthe first plurality of creases. In another aspect of the invention, thefirst plurality of creases take on a linear shape during bending of thefirst, second, and third flaps about the first plurality of creases,while the second plurality of creases maintain an arcuate shape in boththe open and closed configurations, and during bending of the second andthird flaps about the second plurality of creases.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, acrescent-shaped region of the sidewall between a respective one of thefirst plurality of creases and a corresponding one of the secondplurality of creases is aligned with surrounding regions of the sidewallin the open configuration, and oriented perpendicular to and radiallyinward of the surrounding regions of the sidewall in the closedconfiguration.

In another aspect of the invention, the first, second, and third flapsmay each be bendable about respective creases of the first plurality ofcreases, up to 180 degrees radially inward of the sidewall to aninterior surface of the sidewall, and up to 180 degrees radially outwardof the sidewall, to an exterior surface of the sidewall. The first,second, and third flaps may be bendable through a 360 degree range ofmotion, without ripping any portion of the cup.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first pluralityof creases are coplanar in the open and stacking configurations, but arenot coplanar in the closed configuration. In the stacking configuration,the first and second flaps may define an inverted triangular spacebetween them, and the first and third flaps may define an invertedtriangular space between them.

In certain embodiments, the sidewall and the first, second, and thirdflaps are integrally formed. Bending of each of the first, second, andthird flaps radially outward of the sidewall pushes a respectivefrustoconical portion of the sidewall radially inward toward the cup'scentral axis against a spring bias of the sidewall, which is biasedtoward a convex shape. The cup may further comprise a floor defining abottom of the interior region of the cup. The bottom end of the sidewallcan define a circular edge below the floor for supporting the cup in anupright position in any of the stacking, open, and closedconfigurations.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a method oftransforming a cup into different configurations comprises providing acup having a sidewall and a plurality of first, second, and third flapsarranged along a top end of the sidewall and extending upward from andaligned with the sidewall, bending the first, second, and third flapsinto an open configuration in which the first, second, and third flapsextend downwardly along an exterior surface of the sidewall, and bendingthe plurality of first, second, and third flaps into a closedconfiguration in which the first, second and third flaps together definea concave cover to the cup and an elevated spout in communication withthe interior space.

In certain embodiments, bending the plurality of first, second, andthird flaps into the open configuration includes bending the first,second, and third flaps along a plurality of creases disposed at a topend of the sidewall, and bending the plurality of first, second, andthird flaps into the closed configuration includes bending the firstflap along one of the creases at the top end of the sidewall, andbending the second and third flaps along respective arcuate creasesopposite corresponding creases at the top of the sidewall. In accordancewith another aspect of the invention, bending the plurality of first,second, and third flaps into the closed configuration includes bendingthe second and third flaps along the respective arcuate creases withoutbending the second and third flaps about any of the creases at the topend of the sidewall.

Various other objects, advantages, features, and characteristics of thepresent invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions ofrelated structural elements, and the combination of parts and economiesof development and manufacture, will become readily apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the detailed descriptionbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form apart of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention,which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or assubsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention.Accordingly, a further understanding and a more complete appreciation ofthe present invention and many of the attendant aspects thereof may bereadily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference tothe following detailed description, when considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cup in accordance with anembodiment of the invention, in an assembled but unfolded stackingconfiguration in which the flaps are aligned with and extend upward fromthe sidewall;

FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the cup of FIG. 1, in the assembledunfolded stacking configuration;

FIG. 3 is a view of a sheet of material used to form the cup of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the cup of FIG. 1, in a foldedopen configuration in which the flaps extend along an outer surface ofthe sidewall, radially outward of the sidewall;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the cup of FIG. 1, in a foldedclosed configuration, in which the flaps and portions of the sidewallextend radially inward, form a cover to the cup, and define an elevatedspout;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a first alternative embodiment ofthe cup in the assembled unfolded stacking configuration, showing afirst flap provided with multiple creases;

FIG. 7 is side perspective view of a second alternative embodiment ofthe cup in the assembled unfolded stacking configuration, and orientedfor upside down stacking in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a view of a sheet of material used to form a thirdalternative embodiment of the cup in which an anti-slosh tab is providedfor sealing the spout in a closed configuration;

FIG. 8B is a side perspective view of the cup of FIG. 8A, in a foldedclosed configuration, in which the flaps and portions of the sidewallextend radially inward, form a cover to the cup, and define an elevatedspout, and in which the anti-slosh tab is inserted between two flaps tocover the spout; and

FIG. 8C is another side perspective view of the cup of FIG. 8A, in whichthe anti-slosh tab has been removed from the spout, and is shownextending from a drinking edge, radially outward of the sidewall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specificterminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specificelement includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similarmanner. Specific embodiments that may be practiced are shown by way ofillustration and explanation. The embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theembodiments, and it is to be understood that logical, mechanical, andother changes may be made without departing from the scope of theembodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to betaken in a limiting sense. In describing exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology isemployed for sake of clarity.

The cup with integrated lid disclosed herein helps coffee sellers andcustomers contribute to waste reduction while retaining all theconveniences of drinking coffee out of an open cup and taking it to go.Using a simple three step, intuitive process, it can be repeatedlyfolded between several configurations as needed. The cup uses a foldingdesign which can be manipulated by a user to create a stackingconfiguration for nestling and stacking an array of the cups, an opencontainer with unobstructed access for drinking and receiving latte art,and a closed configuration with an integrated cover. The cup is easy tofold, hold, drink from, and reopen, allows for less spillage andsturdier holding, and provides an aesthetic appearance.

The cup also has a unique, sturdy, ergonomic shape, and provides anelevated drinking spout in the integrated lid whose slim ellipticalshape naturally fits inside a person's lips to create a smootherdrinking experience with less spillage than traditional cups withseparate plastic lids. It will be appreciated that the variousembodiments of the inventive cup disclosed herein also allow forsignificant cost savings as they eliminate the need to manufacture,store, or ship plastic lids, and utilize a one-piece integratedstructure optimized for mass-production using either existingtraditional cup-making machines or plastic molding machines.

Cup Structure & Stacking Configuration

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a cup 10 in accordance with the presentinvention is made from a single sheet of material 12, and includes asidewall 14, a rear flap 16 extending from a rear section 17 of a topend 25 of sidewall 14, a side flap 18 extending from a side section 19of top end 25 of sidewall 14, and an additional side flap 20 extendingfrom an additional side section 21 of top end 25 of sidewall 14. Rearflap 16, side flap 18, and additional side flap 20 respectfully extendfrom and are bendable about a first plurality of fold lines (creases) 22a, 22 b, 22 c in sidewall 14. Side flap 18 and additional side flap 20are also respectively bendable about a second plurality of fold lines(creases) 24 a, 24 b, as well as additional fold lines (creases) 26 a,26 b in sidewall 14. The various fold lines or creases described hereinmay be formed in any suitable way known in the art, including, forexample, embossed, debossed, or scored to predefine the depression ofthe fold lines on interior and/or exterior surfaces. The creases may bestraight or curved as described herein.

Cup 10 also includes a floor 27 which may be separately attached to aninterior surface 33 of sidewall 14 by any suitable means known in theart. Floor 27 is generally circular-shaped, water resistant, and definesa bottom boundary of an interior region 28 in which coffee or anotherliquid is received. Floor 27 may be made from the same material and withthe same thickness as sidewall 14, and is preferably elevated relativean annular bottom section 30 of cup 10, which may be crimped to form aring-shaped annular stand that supports cup 10 in an upright position.Floor 27 may be similar to the floor of a conventional cup, or may beformed similar to the floor described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/127,525, filed Sep. 11, 2018, titled SPILL RESISTANT DISPOSABLECUP, and published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019/0077536, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. Bottom section 30 may be formed an any suitable mannertypical of conventional coffee cups. Sheet 12 which forms sidewall 14and flaps 16, 18, 20 may have a curved/arcuate bottom end 11.

Sidewall 14 defines the interior region 28, as well as a central axis 29extending therethrough in a longitudinal direction. Sheet 12 which formssidewall 14 may be made from a relatively stiff yet flexible material ofany type suitable for liquids with a water-resistant lining. Forexample, sheet 12 may be made of wax lined paper of the type normallyused in disposable coffee cups. Other plastic or composite materials maybe utilized. As shown in the assembled configurations of FIGS. 1 and3-5, sidewall 14 may have a cylindrical or frustoconical shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the stacking configuration, rear flap 16, sideflap 18, and additional side flap 20 extend longitudinally upward fromand are aligned with sidewall 14 along creases 22 a, 22 b, 22 c at topend 25 of sidewall 14. In other words, flaps 16, 18, 20 extendvertically upward along and have the same curvature as side wall 14,whereby the outer surfaces of flaps 16, 18, 20 have the same convexshape as the outer surface of sidewall 14 (e.g., slightly bowed radiallyoutward relative to central axis 29). Thus, in this stackingconfiguration, creases 22 a, 22 b, 22 c along top end 25 of sidewall 14are arcuate-shaped in a direction perpendicular to central axis 29.However, arcuate-shaped creases 22 a, 22 b, 22 c may also be coplanar inthis stacking configuration (e.g., operatively disposed in a planeperpendicular to central axis 29).

It will be appreciated that multiple cups 10 placed in this stackingconfiguration may be nestled together and stacked in the same way thatconventional disposable cups are nestled and stacked. Thus, despite thestructure described herein and the multiple configurations to which thecup may be folded, no additional surface area or space is neededrelative to the space requirements of conventionally stacked disposablecups. A plurality of cups 10 may be nestled and stacked in theorientation of FIG. 1, or upside down such that the bottom cup of thestack is supported by a support surface with the outer peripheries offlaps 16, 18, 20 touching the support surface. Cup 10 is configured tobalance on such a support surface in the upside-down stackedconfiguration because the outermost peripheries of each of flaps 16, 18,20 lie in a plane perpendicular to flaps 16, 18, 20 when cup 10 is inthe stacked configuration. An example of this is shown with respect toan alternative cup embodiment in FIG. 7 (further discussed below), whichis formed with slightly different structure. However, all embodiments ofcups disclosed herein may be stacked upside down as shown in FIG. 7.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-3, rear flap 16 is trapezoidal shaped, and hasa generally linear, horizontally extending top edge 32, and generallylinear-shaped side edges 34, 36 extending from opposite sides of topedge 32 to top end 25 of sidewall 14. In FIG. 3, portions of rear flap16 are labelled 16′ at flap sections 38 a, 38 b. Flap 16 is formed whenthese two sections are brought together in the assembled configurationsdescribed herein. Rear flap 16 may have the same thickness as sidewall14, and be made from the same material thereof. Crease 22 a extendsacross and defines the entire bottom of rear flap 16. Crease 22 a isslightly bowed radially outward relative to central axis 29, but eachpoint along crease 22 a is approximately the same distance from thecircular bottom of cup 10.

Rear flap 16 is formed when rear flap sections 38 a, 38 b of sheet 12(FIG. 3), are brought together and sealed along longitudinally extendingoverlap region/seam 40, which extends from top edge 32, through seam 22a, to annular bottom section 30 of cup 14. During manufacturing, sheet12 may be curled such that rear flap sections 38 a, 38 b overlap. Suchoverlapping surfaces may be permanently connected to each other usingconventional food-safe adhesives such as a silicone-based adhesive.Alternative joining methods may be used, such as paper fusion by highcompression pressure with paper edges overlapped or folded into oneanother.

As shown, crease 22 a does not extend all the way to flaps 18, 20 (e.g.,crease 22 a does not intersect or overlap with crease 22 b or 22 c).This is because rear flap 16 and side flap 18 define an invertedtriangular gap 35 therebetween, and rear flap 16 and additional sideflap 20 also define an inverted triangular gap 37 therebetween. Thesegaps 35, 37 allows flaps 16, 18, 20 to independently bend about creases22 a, 22 b, 22 c.

Continuing with FIGS. 2-3, side flap 18 is trapezoidal in shape with arounded corner. It has a top edge 42 which is relatively flat at one end42 a and curved at an opposite end 42 b. Side edges 44, 46 extend fromopposite sides of top edge 42 to top end 25 of sidewall 14. Side flap 18may have the same thickness as sidewall 14, and may be made from thesame material thereof. Crease 22 b extends across and defines the entirebottom of side flap 18. Crease 22 b is slightly bowed radially outwardrelative to central axis 29, but each point along crease 22 b isapproximately the same distance from the circular bottom of cup 10. Asshown, crease 22 b does not extend all the way to flap 20 (e.g., crease22 b does not intersect or overlap with crease 22 c). Side flap 18 andadditional side flap 20 define a gap 39 therebetween, and canindependently bend about creases 22 b, 22 c.

As described above, creases 24 a and 26 a extend below crease 22 b insidewall 14. Crease 24 a is arcuate-shaped in both the directionperpendicular to central axis 29 and in the downward direction along thesurface of the sidewall 14. In other words, points along crease 24 a arenot coplanar in any plane because in this configuration, side flap 18,through which crease 24 a extends, is convex. Crease 24 a is concavealong sidewall 14 under crease 22 b. Side flap 18 also defines slot 48,which is provided as a U-shaped opening with a flexible tab 50, and isconfigured to receive a tab 52 on additional side flap 20 ininterlocking engagement therewith.

Additional side flap 20 is also trapezoidal in shape with a roundedcorner. It has a top edge 54 which is relatively flat at one end 54 aand curved at an opposite end 54 b. Top edge 54 also defines the upperboundary of tab 52 as shown. Side edges 56, 58 extend from oppositesides of top edge 54 to top end 25 of sidewall 14. Additional side flap20 may have the same thickness as sidewall 14, and may be made from thesame material thereof. It will be appreciated that tab 52 mayalternatively be formed with its upper boundary in line with adjacentportions of top edge 54 such that it contacts a mounting surface, alongwith the adjacent portions of top edge 54, when cup 10 is stacked upsidedown (further discussed below with respect to FIG. 7). Slot 48 maysimilarly be modified to accommodate tab 52. Various shapes and sizesmay be utilized for tab 52 and slot 48. Crease 22 c extends across anddefines the entire bottom of additional side flap 20. Crease 22 c isslightly bowed radially outward relative to central axis 29, but eachpoint along crease 22 c is approximately the same distance from thecircular bottom of cup 10. As shown, crease 22 c does not extend all theway to side flap 18 (e.g., crease 22 c does not intersect or overlapwith crease 22 b) due to gap 39 described above.

Creases 24 b and 26 b a extend below crease 22 c in sidewall 14. Crease24 b is arcuate-shaped in both the direction perpendicular to centralaxis 29 and in the downward direction along the surface of the sidewall14. In other words, points along crease 24 b are not coplanar in anyplane since in this configuration, additional side flap 20 through whichcrease 24 b extends is convex, and crease 24 b is concave along sidewall14 under crease 22 c.

Operation to Open Configuration & Change in Flap Structure

The above-described structure allows cup 10 to be folded from thestacking configuration of FIGS. 1-2 to the open configuration of FIG. 4and the closed configuration of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 4, flaps 16,18, 20 of cup 10 have all been respectively bent 180 degrees aboutcreases 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, radially outward of sidewall 14, and nowextend downwardly along an outer surface 60 of sidewall 14.

It will be appreciated that because creases 22 a, 22 b, 22 c aregenerally linear shaped in the flattened configuration of FIG. 3, in theassembled stacking configuration of FIGS. 1-2, when they are bowedoutward away from longitudinal axis 29, they each lie in a plane whichcuts through top end 25 (e.g., each of their projections onto alongitudinal plane is linear, not concave). For example, in a rear(non-perspective) view of cup 10 in the stacked configuration, crease 22a appears linear because the projection thereof onto a longitudinalplane which includes central axis 29 and passes through slaps 18, 20 islinear.

Similarly, in side (non-perspective) views of cup 10 in the stackedconfiguration, creases 22 b, 22 c appear linear because projectionsthereof onto a longitudinal plane, which includes central axis 29 andpasses through rear flap 16, are linear. Flaps 16, 18, 20 are thus freeto bend 180 degrees radially outward against the convex/outward springbias of sidewall 14 without ripping any portion of the sidewall or theflaps 16, 18, 20. Creases 22 a, 22 b, 22 c take on an actual linearshape during bending of flaps 16, 18, 20 radially outward as convexsidewall 14 is pushed radially inward in areas underneath flaps 16, 18,20. It will be appreciated that in this open configuration of FIG. 4,rear flap 16 and side flap 18 define a triangular gap 41 between side 34of rear flap 16 and side 44 of side flap 18 (previously invertedtriangular gap 35 in the stacked configuration), and that rear flap 16and additional side flap 20 define a triangular gap 43 between side 36of rear flap 16 and side 56 of additional side flap 20 (previouslyinverted triangular gap 37 in the stacked configuration).

The ability to bend flaps 16, 18, 20 one hundred and eighty degrees in aradially outward direction allows for complete access to interiorportion 28 of cup 14 without impediment by flaps 16, 18, 20. Users canthus receive cup 14 in the stacked configuration of FIGS. 1-2 withcoffee inside, in three simple motions, independently bend each of flaps16, 18, 20 to the configuration of FIG. 4, and draw latte art on thesurface of coffee in cup 14. It will be appreciated that the three flapdesign disclosed herein also allows the user to easily drink out of cup10 in the open configuration. In certain embodiments, flaps 16, 18, 20may include advertising, branding, and messaging such that while in thestacking configuration, the advertising is prominently displayed on theflaps, and while in the closed configuration, on the lid of cup 10. Whenthe user is done drawing latte art and/or desires to leave with coffeeremaining, he/she can then reconfigure cup 10 from the openconfiguration to a closed configuration of FIG. 5 with an integratedlid.

Closed Configuration with Integrated Lid & Change in Flap Structure

The user can transform cup 10 to the closed configuration of FIG. 5 fromeither the stacking configuration of FIGS. 1-2 or the open configurationof FIG. 4. Referring again to arcuate concave creases 24 a, 24 b definedin sidewall 14 under creases 22 b, 22 c—these allow for bending ofsidewall 14 above each of these creases 24 a, 24 b below flaps 18, 20.For example, crescent-shaped region 62 of sidewall 14 under flap 18 isdefined by creases 24 a, 22 b (FIGS. 1, 3). Similarly, crescent-shapedregion 64 of sidewall 14 is defined by creases 24 b, 22 c.

From the stacked configuration of FIG. 1, side flap 18 may be pushed andfolded downward in a radially inward direction toward central axis 29 asit bends about crease 24 a in sidewall 14 while staying aligned withcrescent-shaped region 62. The radially outer surface of side flap 28and the radially outer surface of crescent-shaped region 62 change inshape from convex to concave as crescent-shaped region 62 and side flap18 are folded ninety degrees radially inward toward central axis 29. Asthis folding occurs, crease 26 a allows for bending of adjacent sidewallmaterial 66 to prevent ripping of sidewall 14 or flap 18.

Similarly, from the stacked configuration of FIG. 1, additional sideflap 20 may be pushed and folded downward in a radially inward directiontoward central axis 29 as it bends about crease 24 b in sidewall 14while staying aligned with crescent-shaped region 64. The radially outersurface of side flap 20 and the radially outer surface ofcrescent-shaped region 64 change in shape from convex to concave ascrescent-shaped region 64 and additional side flap 20 are folded ninetydegrees radially inward toward central axis 29. As this folding occurs,crease 26 b allows for bending of adjacent sidewall material 68 toprevent ripping of sidewall 14 or flap 20.

In order to reach the closed configuration of FIG. 5 from the stackingconfiguration of FIG. 1, the following three step methodology may beemployed. First, rear flap 16 is bent ninety degrees radially inwardabout crease 22 a, which takes on a linear shape as the convex region ofsidewall 14 immediately underneath rear flap 16 is pushed radiallyinward. Next, crescent-shaped region 66 of sidewall 14 and side flap 18are together folded approximately ninety degrees radially inward aboutcrease 24 a as described above, to a position which overlaps rear flap16. Finally, crescent-shaped region 64 of sidewall 14 and additionalside flap 20 are together folded approximately ninety degrees radiallyinward about crease 24 b as described above, to a position whichoverlaps side flap 18 and rear flap 16. As region 64 and flap 20 arepushed downward, tab 52 of additional flap 20 is inserted into slot 48of side flap 18 by interference fit with slot 48 and tab 50.

In this manner, rear flap 16, side flap 18, additional side flap 20,crescent-shaped region 64, and crescent-shaped region 66 together definea multi-layered cover 70 for cup 10 which seals coffee inside andminimizes or prevents spillage if cup 10 is dropped with coffee therein.As shown, cover 70 is concave and defines an elevated spout 72 fromwhich the user may drink coffee contained in cup 10. Spout 72 is definedin the shape of a narrow opening or slit by drinking edge 74 at top end25 of sidewall 14, and by curved side edges 46, 58 of flaps 18, 20 bentinto this covered configuration.

As shown, spout 72 defines a thin elliptical opening 73. Both spout 72and opening 73 defined thereby are elliptical shaped, elevated relativeto any other point on the lid, and tilted at an upward angle (e.g.,inclined in a direction where the user's mouth will be placed to drinkfrom cup 10). A portion of spout 72 defining opening 73 is formed bydouble edge 75A, 75B of second and third flaps 18, 20. It will beappreciated that these structural features allow spout 72 to be easilyinserted between the lips of a user, and make for a smoother drinkingexperience compared to plastic lids, which must be ripped and oftenleave asymmetric openings which are too large and/or cause spillage anduser frustration. Spout 72, by defining opening 73 at an elevatedlocation relative to the rest of the entire cup 10, does not allowcoffee to easily escape, even when the lid of cup 10 is pressed or whencup 10 is shaken or quickly moved. Moreover, even if cup 10 isinadvertently dropped by the user, narrow opening 73 eliminates orlimits spillage from cup 10. Narrow opening 73 also prevents spillagewhen a user drinks therefrom.

It will be appreciated that if dropped from an upright position, cup 10will likely strike the ground at the bottom or side thereof, and coffeespillage, if any, will be very limited due to the narrowness of opening73 and the slightly tortuous flow path (e.g., to escape, liquid mustflow against a sharply defined interior concavity in sidewall 14, a flowpath which is unlikely to be navigated by liquid in cup 10 unless a userspecifically holds cup 10 in a drinking position tilted toward him/herwith spout 72 in his/her mouth). These advantages are all achievedwithout any separable pieces from cup 10. However, as further discussedbelow with respect to FIGS. 8A-8C, if additional spillage precaution isdesired, then in certain embodiments, drinking edge 74 may be integrallyformed with a removable anti-slosh tab to seal spout 72 in the closedconfiguration. The concavity of flaps 18, 20 joined by interference fithelps keep cover 70 closed. Cup 10 can be reopened by simply removingtab 52 from slot 48, and unfolding flaps 20, 18, 16 back to the stackedor open configuration.

It will be appreciated that the closed configuration of FIG. 5 can alsobe reached from the open configuration of FIG. 4 by simply rotatingflaps 16, 18, 20 about creases 22 a, 22 b, 22 c to the stackedconfiguration of FIGS. 1-2, and then folding flaps 16, 18, 20 andcrescent shaped regions 62, 64 of sidewall 14 about creases 24 a, 24 bas described above. Cup 10 can be repeatedly folded back and forthbetween any of these configurations as desired.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a first alternative embodiment, a cup 200 isformed exactly the same as cup 10, with all of the same structure,function, and features thereof, except that in cup 200, rear flap 216includes both a first arcuate shaped crease 222 a and a second arcuateshaped crease 223 a. First arcuate shaped crease 222 a may be formedwith a curved/arcuate shape (as shown or with an even sharper curve)such that when folded into the closed configuration, rear flap 216 has aconcave surface which provides more of a downward pushing force on sideflaps 218, 220, which renders cup 200 even more spill resistant in theclosed configuration. In the open configuration, rear flap 216 is bentabout second arcuate shaped crease 223 a, which may take on a linearconfiguration as flap 216 is bent backwards (radially outward). Similarto cup 10, in cup 200, side flap 218 includes creases 222 b, 224 a andfold line 226 a, and side flap 220 includes creases 222 c, 224 b andfold line 226 b. Cup 200 is thus configurable to stacked, open, andclosed configurations as described above.

Referring to FIG. 7, in a second alternative embodiment, a cup 300 isformed exactly the same as cup 10, with all of the same structure,function, and features thereof, except that in cup 300, tab 352 of sideflap 320 is formed with a peripheral edge 353 which is aligned with andlies in the same plane as top edge 354 of side flap 320, and top edge342 of side flap 318. It will be appreciated that peripheral edge 353 oftab 352 increases the total surface area touching a contact surface, andthus improves the stability of stacked cups. Thus, tab 352 functions toboth lock into a corresponding slot (hidden) in side tab 318 in a closedconfiguration (as described above with respect to cup 10), and tocontact a support surface and add further stability to cup 300 when cup300 is at the bottom of a stack with the stacked cups oriented upsidedown.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8C, in a third alternative embodiment, a cup400 is shown which is formed exactly the same as cup 10, with all of thesame structure, function, and features thereof, except that in cup 400,an anti-slosh tab 480 is provided which is detachably coupled todrinking edge 474 at the top of sidewall 414, and tab 452, similar totab 352, is formed with a flatter peripheral edge 453 which is alignedwith and lies in the same plane as top edge 454 of side flap 420 in theassembled configuration and top edge 442 of side flap 418 (e.g., in FIG.8A they lie in the same plane on the flat unfolded sheet, and in anassembled stacked configuration, they lie in a plane parallel to asupport surface on which cup 400 may be stacked upside down). Anti-sloshtab 480 is foldable, and can be fixed between rear flap 416 and sideflap 418 to obstruct liquid (e.g., coffee) from escaping through opening473 (FIG. 8C).

Anti-slosh tab 480 extends from drinking edge 474, and includes neckportion 482 and bulbous portion 484. Neck portion 482 is relativelynarrow to facilitate removal of anti-slosh tab 480 (e.g., by tearingalong neck portion 482), and to easily manipulate anti-slosh tab 480 andbend it between the configurations of FIGS. 8B-8C. As shown in FIG. 8B,neck portion, when bent and forced radially, thus forcing bulbousportion 484 between flaps 418, 420 with neck portion 480 coveringopening 473. Neck portion 482 may be provided with crease or fold 486 atdrinking edge 474, which takes on a linear shape during bending ofanti-slosh tab 480 radially inward of sidewall 414. Other shapes andconfigurations of anti-slosh tab 480 may be utilized.

Cup 400 may also be provided with a fill line 490 (FIG. 8A) as asuggestion to a user (e.g., a barista) pouring the coffee. Fill line 490may be drawn or sketched, or formed as a crease or fold. Since flaps 16,18, 20 and portions of sidewall 14 are pressed radially inward to form aconcave cover/lid as described herein, fill line 490 may be spaced fromthe top of cup 400 at a distance where flaps 16, 18, 20 will notinterfere with coffee at or below fill line 490 in the assembledconfiguration during closure. One or more fill lines 490 may be placedat varying distances (e.g., 1 inch, 1.5 inches, etc.) depending onwhether the customer desires milk, cream, and the like. It will also beappreciated that if the customer will only drink from cup 400 in theopen configuration, then fill line 490 may be ignored.

While a disposable inventive cup has been described herein (e.g., a cupfor one-time use), it will be appreciated that the embodiments describedherein may also be utilized for reusable cups. By way of example, theinventive cup can be manufactured using a molding machine or die insteadof a paper cup machine, and formed with any suitable reusable materialof sufficient elasticity (e.g., reusable plastic, bagasse, and thelike), whereby the integrated lid (e.g., the three flaps and thecrescent-shaped regions of the sidewall) are bendable into the variousconfigurations described herein, and preferably spring biased toward theunfolded stacking configuration. While various features have beendisclosed in different embodiments herein, it will be appreciated thatany combination of any number of features in the embodiments describedherein may be combined, and that the invention is not limited to thespecific combinations of features disclosed in the drawings ordescription thereof.

The invention described herein provides a cup configurable to stacking,open, and closed/covered configurations which allow for stacking, latteart, and spill prevention, all using a single folded sheet of materialwhich can be folded into each of these configurations without ripping orremoving any portions of the cup using a simple, intuitive, three-stepprocess. The invention has been described in the context of a number ofembodiments and multiple variations and examples thereof. It is to beunderstood, however, that other variations, shapes, materials, methodsof manufacture, and structures may be employed without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims as presented orsubsequently amended be interpreted as including the embodimentsdescribed herein, the alternatives mentioned above, and all equivalentsthereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cup, comprising: a sidewall having a top end, abottom end, and a first plurality of creases disposed along the top end,the sidewall defining an interior space and a central axis extending ina longitudinal direction; and first, second, and third flaps bendableabout respective creases of the first plurality of creases, radiallyoutward of the sidewall, to an open configuration, wherein in the openconfiguration, the first, second, and third flaps are downwardlybendable to respective positions along an exterior surface of thesidewall, wherein the second and third flaps are movable radially inwardof the sidewall, to a closed configuration in which the first, secondand third flaps at least partially define a concave cover to the cup andan elevated spout in communication with the interior space.
 2. A cupaccording to claim 1, wherein the sidewall includes a second pluralityof creases formed in the sidewall below corresponding creases of thefirst plurality of creases, and the second and third flaps andrespective portions of the sidewall are configured to bend aboutrespective creases of the second plurality of creases to the closedconfiguration.
 3. A cup according to claim 2, wherein the firstplurality of creases are linearly shaped during bending of the first,second, and third flaps about the first plurality of creases, and thesecond plurality of creases remain arcuate shaped in both the open andclosed configurations, and during bending of the second and third flapsabout the second plurality of creases.
 4. A cup according to claim 3,wherein the respective portions of the sidewall are aligned withadjacent sections of the sidewall in the open configuration, andoriented perpendicular to the adjacent sections of the sidewall andradially inward of an outer surface of sidewall in the closedconfiguration.
 5. A cup according to claim 4, wherein each of therespective portions of the sidewall is crescent-shaped.
 6. A cupaccording to claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third flaps areeach bendable about their respective creases of the first plurality ofcreases, up to 180 degrees radially inward of the sidewall to aninterior surface of the sidewall, and up to 180 degrees radially outwardof the sidewall, to an exterior surface of the sidewall.
 7. A cupaccording to claim 6, wherein the first, second, and third flaps areeach bendable about their respective creases of the first plurality ofcreases, up to a 360 degree range of motion, without ripping any portionof the cup.
 8. A cup according to claim 1, wherein the cup isconfigurable to a stacking configuration in which the first, second, andthird flaps extend longitudinally upward from and are aligned with thesidewall.
 9. A cup according to claim 8, wherein the first plurality ofcreases are coplanar in the open and stacking configurations, but arenot coplanar in the closed configuration.
 10. A cup according to claim8, wherein in the stacking configuration, the first and second flapsdefine an inverted triangular space between them.
 11. A cup according toclaim 10, wherein in the open configuration, the first and second flapsdefine a triangular space between them.
 12. A cup according to claim 1,wherein bending of each of the first, second, and third flaps radiallyoutward of the sidewall pushes a respective portion of the sidewallradially inward toward the central axis against a spring bias of thesidewall toward a convex configuration.
 13. A cup according to claim 1,wherein the sidewall has a frustoconical shape.
 14. A cup according toclaim 1, further comprising: a floor defining a bottom of the interiorregion of the cup, wherein the bottom end of the sidewall defines acircular edge below the floor for supporting the cup in an uprightposition.
 15. A cup according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall, andfirst, second, and third flaps are integrally formed.
 16. A cup,comprising: a sidewall; and a plurality of first, second, and thirdflaps arranged along a top end of the sidewall, and bendable alongrespective creases in the sidewall to a stacking configuration and aclosed configuration, wherein: (i) in the stacking configuration, thefirst, second, and third flaps extend upward from and are aligned withthe sidewall, and (ii) in the closed configuration, the first, secondand third flaps together at least partially define a concave cover tothe cup and an elevated drinking spout, wherein a portion of theelevated drinking spout defines an opening in communication with theinterior space, and wherein the portion of the elevated drinking spoutdefining the opening is elevated relative to any other point on theconcave cover.
 17. A cup according to claim 16, wherein in the stackingconfiguration, the first and second flaps define a first invertedtriangular gap between them, the first and third flaps define a secondinverted triangular gap between them, and the second and third flapsdefine a third gap between them, and wherein, in the closedconfiguration, the second and third flaps define a top surface of theelevated drinking spout.
 18. A method of transforming a cup intodifferent configurations, comprising: providing a cup having a sidewalland a plurality of first, second, and third flaps arranged along a topend of the sidewall and extending upward from and aligned with thesidewall; bending the first, second, and third flaps into an openconfiguration in which the first, second, and third flaps extenddownwardly along an exterior surface of the sidewall; and bending theplurality of first, second, and third flaps into a closed configurationin which the first, second and third flaps at least partially define aconcave cover to the cup and an elevated spout in communication with theinterior space.
 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein bending theplurality of first, second, and third flaps into the open configurationincludes bending the first, second, and third flaps along a plurality ofcreases disposed at a top end of the sidewall, and bending the pluralityof first, second, and third flaps into the closed configuration includesbending the first flap along one of the creases at the top end of thesidewall, and bending the second and third flaps along respectivearcuate creases opposite a pair of the creases at the top end of theside wall.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein bending theplurality of first, second, and third flaps into the closedconfiguration includes bending the second and third flaps, as well asportions of the sidewall adjacent the second and third flaps, along therespective arcuate creases.